Puah פּוּעָה
Hebrew midwife in Egypt
Who is Puah in the Bible?
Puah was a Hebrew midwife in Egypt during the time of Israel's slavery, mentioned alongside her fellow midwife Shiphrah in Exodus 1:15. When Pharaoh commanded the midwives to kill all male Hebrew babies born to Hebrew women, Puah and Shiphrah feared God more than the king and refused to obey his murderous decree. When Pharaoh questioned their disobedience, they explained that Hebrew women gave birth so quickly that the midwives could not reach them in time. God blessed both women for their courage and faithfulness, granting them families of their own (Exodus 1:20,21). Puah's story exemplifies how faith in God and moral conviction can overcome even the most powerful earthly authority.
Biography
Puah was one of the two Hebrew midwives mentioned in Exo.1.15, along with Shiphrah. They lived in Egypt during the time when the Israelites were enslaved and oppressed by the Egyptians. The Pharaoh, fearing the growing population of the Hebrews, ordered the midwives to kill any male children born to Hebrew women (Exo.1.15-16). However, Puah and Shiphrah feared God and did not follow Pharaoh's command. Instead, they allowed the male children to live (Exo.1.17). When questioned by Pharaoh about their disobedience, the midwives claimed that the Hebrew women gave birth quickly, before they could arrive (Exo.1.18-19). God blessed Puah and Shiphrah for their bravery and gave them families of their own (Exo.1.20-21). The defiance of Puah and Shiphrah is an example of faith and courage in the face of oppression, and their actions played a role in the preservation of the Hebrew people during a time of great adversity.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentExodus 1 verse
- Exodus 1:15
"Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah,"
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | פּוּעָה |